If you've ever found yourself drowning in a sea of notebooks, whether physical or digital, this episode is your guide to a game-changing solution. We'll explore the pitfalls of the multi-notebook approach, which often stems from ingrained habits from our school days, and discuss how it can lead to stress, overwhelm, and wasted time. I'll introduce you to the revolutionary One Notebook system, a simple yet powerful method that will transform the way you organize your life. By tunin...
Jan 16, 2024•17 min•Ep 225•Transcript available on Metacast This week on the podcast, I welcome Teresa Rand, a seasoned professional with three decades in corporate America and the founder of the Boss Lady Community. Together, we unravel the profound impact of asking for help in achieving genuine Work+Life Harmony. Teresa's rich experiences serve as a guiding light, emphasizing the importance of challenging societal norms, embracing vulnerability, and debunking the myth of the superwoman. Tune in to discover how the often-overlooked act of seeking s...
Jan 09, 2024•21 min•Ep 224•Transcript available on Metacast What if the path to success isn't paved with goal-setting and resolution-making but in creating effective systems? Shake the dust off your typical New Year mindset and join me in the first episode of 2024 where I'm delving deep into the world of systems. Inspired by insights from James Clear's Atomic Habits, I'll reveal how the key to achieving your desires lies in the habitual tasks and activities you perform regularly, not just in the goals you set. Ditch the New Year resol...
Jan 02, 2024•12 min•Ep 223•Transcript available on Metacast Want to demystify the overwhelming college planning process? Brace yourself as we have Brad Baldridge, an expert financial advisor and college funding specialist, on board to shed light on the topic. The landscape of higher education is a complex maze, constantly shifting and transforming. Our discussion helps unravel the subtle yet crucial nuances, from the significance of selecting the right school accommodating individual pathways to graduating within four years. Tune in as we cover: Early pl...
Dec 26, 2023•28 min•Ep 222•Transcript available on Metacast What if I told you that you could gain an extra month in your year? Not through magic or giving up sleep, but by taking control of the minutes and hours that slip away on your phone. In this impactful episode, I share my personal journey of clawing back nearly three weeks of my life by taming the time-eating beast that is my smartphone. In this episode, I tackle the shocking statistic that we spend an average of 38 days per year on social media, and I challenge you to consider how much of your t...
Dec 19, 2023•15 min•Ep 221•Transcript available on Metacast Are you tired of a cluttered wardrobe with nothing to wear? Imagine opening your closet to a collection of clothes that all coordinate effortlessly, bringing out your best features. You'll learn how this dream can be a reality in my chat with Jeannie Stith where she shares her journey and the magic of how color analysis can transform your wardrobe, saving you time and reducing stress. Jeannie is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches you to your ideal color palette for clothin...
Dec 12, 2023•32 min•Ep 220•Transcript available on Metacast Ever felt overwhelmed by the mere thought of moving or decluttering your home? Well, you're in for a treat because, in this episode, I'm revealing a stress-busting plan of action based on my own experiences with multiple moves. Learn how to methodically list every item in your house, begin packing well ahead of time, and master the art of categorizing your belongings into keep, throw away, and donate piles. Trust me, whether you're in the midst of moving madness or simply yearning...
Dec 05, 2023•22 min•Ep 219•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever thought that all your planning could actually be a sneaky form of procrastination? In this episode, I dive into the heart of the issue, focusing on two prime suspects: fear and perfectionism. I'll delve into how the fear of an uncertain outcome and the quest for the 'perfect' plan often freezes us in our tracks. Yet, ironically, we still feel accomplished because planning in itself creates a sense of control and productivity. Tune into this episode to learn about: Th...
Nov 28, 2023•18 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast This week on the podcast, I welcome health coach Jen Trepick to discuss strategies for moving away from guilt and embracing gratitude. Timely for the Thanksgiving season in the US, our conversation delves into the challenges women face in balancing various aspects of their lives and the guilt that often accompanies these struggles. Jen shares her personal journey of overcoming food issues and emphasizes the importance of keeping commitments to oneself. The discussion shifts towards practical str...
Nov 21, 2023•22 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast Ever feel overwhelmed by your overflowing digital storage spaces? Join me in this episode as I unpack the world of digital organizational tools and reveal my top three favorites that have revolutionized my productivity. Juggling too many tools can be counterproductive, but I will guide you on how to centralize your data and make your life more streamlined. Tune into this episode to learn about: Streamlining Information Storage Google Suite and Productivity Tools Personal Workflow and Tool Integr...
Nov 14, 2023•22 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast Today, I'm joined by my CPA, Kimberly Tara. Kimberly is a mom to four young children and manages a thriving CPA firm. In this episode, we'll dive into how she manages her family and business without burning out. Her story serves as a reminder that achieving work-life harmony is possible when you prioritize what truly matters and seek support where needed. One of the central themes of this episode is the idea of saying "no" and the art of prioritization. Kimberly shares her ex...
Nov 07, 2023•30 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered how the pearls of wisdom from our elders shape our life? Join me on a journey today as I reminisce about my father, a 30-year Marine veteran, and his invaluable life lessons that have become the bedrock of my teachings. In his honor, I discuss three key lessons from him - not judging a book by its cover, thinking and dreaming big, and the essence of kindness in our lives. As we sail through these life lessons, you'll discover how they are intertwined in my work and the advice ...
Oct 31, 2023•10 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered why seemingly simple tasks like making your bed or planning meals can feel like chores? Join me as business coach Sarah Walton guides us on a journey to find joy in these everyday activities and introduces the concept of high-functioning codependence. But that's just the beginning. In this episode, we'll also explore the fascinating differences in multitasking abilities between men and women. Understanding these distinctions can be a game-changer for improving your time m...
Oct 24, 2023•25 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered how starting your week with meetings can affect your entire week? Well, I've got some fantastic ideas for you. In this episode, we're going to explore what happens when you decide to keep your Monday mornings free from meetings. It's a simple change, but it can make a big difference in how productive and organized your week becomes. Join me as I share my personal journey of how I improved my Work+Life Harmony by reserving Mondays for planning and preparation...
Oct 17, 2023•18 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast Can a wall calendar revolutionize the way you connect with your family or plan your meals? Tasha Agruso of Kaleidoscope Living graced us with her presence in this episode, sharing the genesis of her innovative, bright wall calendar. Each month has its own page, and Tasha's creative vision shines as she shares how this functional art piece can turn any space into a vibrant hub of productivity. Together we dive into the multitude of ways to use Tasha's colorful calendar - from tracking h...
Oct 10, 2023•30 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the final part of the 4 levels of planning...weekly planning! This episode unlocks the mystery of weekly planning and unveils the differences between weekly and monthly planning. I smash the myth that continuous list-making equates to effective weekly planning and equip you with practical strategies to boost your productivity. Weekly planning takes those vague monthly intentions and transforms them into actionable tasks with set dates and times. We're not striving for a jam-packe...
Oct 03, 2023•15 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to part three of the 4 levels of planning. In this episode, I am unraveling the subtle power of monthly planning. This episode presents you with clear strategies on how to efficiently map out your month and get a grip on how much of your time is already accounted for. I'll guide you through a process of evaluating your quarterly activities, tweaking them if necessary, and capturing your monthly planning details, irrespective of whether you're a digital calendar user or a paper ...
Sep 26, 2023•20 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to part two of the 4 levels of planning. By the end of this episode, you will have the tools you need to create an effective quarterly plan that aligns with your annual goals. In today's episode, I cover the basics of quarterly planning, discussing how to incorporate your personal, work, and business activities seamlessly. Beyond this, you’ll gain insight into how to prioritize and protect time for business activities without sacrificing your personal life events. GRAB THE 4 LEVELS ...
Sep 19, 2023•19 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast Want to know the secret to harmonizing all aspects of your life? I'm here to share with you the 4 levels of planning to do just that! This week, I'm kicking off a four-part series that is set to revolutionize the way you plan. With my guidance, you'll gain insights into integrating personal, work, and business plans for a more balanced life. In today's episode, we're kicking things off with a deep dive into the highest and most abstract level of planning: Annual Planning...
Sep 12, 2023•18 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered how to stay on top of the digital declutter? In this week's episode, I'm going to guide you through five effective strategies that have transformed my digital life, from managing emails and digital photos to social media and data backups. Digital decluttering refers to the process of organizing and streamlining the digital aspects of our lives, including emails, files, photos, and tasks. It's a vital practice in our increasingly tech-driven world where the digital cl...
Sep 05, 2023•14 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast Are you stuck in a cycle of constant overwhelming feelings and procrastination? We've all been there! Today, I'm breaking down the barriers to your productivity and reclaiming your time. We'll discuss the whys and hows of procrastination and, based on my personal journey, I'll be sharing three practical, life-changing tools to get you past these hurdles. But we're not stopping there! I'm delving deeper into the psychology of our brains - how they seek pleasure and a...
Aug 29, 2023•18 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of the chaos in your digital world? Fear not, we've got you covered with some remarkable takeaways you'd get from my chat with Lydia Martin, the brain behind Banish Business Clutter. Lydia, known for her profound understanding of the human brain and its operations, shares her wisdom on organizing your digital space. Together, we explore the benefits of digital decluttering and the remarkable transformation one can achieve by establishing a confident system. Brace yourself as Lydi...
Aug 22, 2023•26 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast Are you grappling with the conundrum of how to synchronize your digital and paper planning systems without duplicating information? The answer lies within this episode where I demystify the necessity of digital calendaring for effective time blocking and shed light on why a paper planner provides a superior bird’s-eye view of my schedule. This episode is a treasure trove of strategies that harmonize these two systems for efficient time management and planning. Join me and dive into the nuances o...
Aug 15, 2023•21 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast How can you as a mom retain your individuality while taking care of your family? Meet Dr. Morgan Cutlip, a psychologist who's dedicated her career to relationship education and is a mother herself. We'll get a glimpse into her journey from the academic world of psychological theories to the practical world of day-to-day motherhood. Just like machines, we too need regular refueling to function efficiently. The crux of our conversation with Dr. Cutlip revolves around the concept of self-...
Aug 08, 2023•34 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast Ever feel overwhelmed by the plethora of apps and tools available, each one claiming to skyrocket your productivity? Let's pull back the veil together and learn how to critically evaluate these digital offerings, ensuring they're worthy of your time and energy. We'll tackle questions like "What's the true purpose of this tool?" and "Is it really solving a problem for me?". We take this evaluation a step further by assessing if the tool is indeed worth the ...
Aug 01, 2023•17 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast Can you imagine the transformation your work + life would undergo if you learned to DITCH work-life balance and aim for work + life harmony instead? That's precisely the journey we've embarked on together over the last 200 episodes of the Work + Life Harmony podcast! As we ring in this milestone episode, I take a reflective pause to distill some vital lessons learned along the way. Tune in, as I reminisce on the critical necessity of preparation, the magic of a well-structured script, ...
Jul 25, 2023•14 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of the daily scramble to answer the 'what's for dinner' question? Longing for a way to streamline your meal planning and preparation routine that doesn't involve spending hours in your kitchen every weekend? Nakita, a meal prep expert, joins me to share her unique approach and practical tips on transforming meal prep and planning from a chore into a game-changer! Together, we unpack the key differences between meal planning and meal prepping, and how integrating these p...
Jul 18, 2023•23 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast Celebrating my 50th birthday today, I take you on a roller-coaster ride that was the journey of creating the TOP Planner 3.0. Ever wondered how a revolutionary planner springs to life? Unfold the saga of its creation, the challenges we wrestled with, and how our strategic planning came to the rescue. More importantly, understand the significance of four levels of planning that were critical in this journey and learn how they can be your secret weapon in managing your projects and goals. Get read...
Jul 11, 2023•21 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast What if you could live a life filled with harmony and well-being by simply embracing a slower pace? Join me as I chat with Stephanie O'Dea, the "Crock-Pot Lady," who went viral years ago after cooking dinner in her crock pot every night for an entire year and blogging about her journey. Stephanie shares her story, from her humble beginnings to hitting the New York Times best-sellers list, and the most rewarding part of her journey - connecting with other moms who have been touched...
Jul 04, 2023•26 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast Are you torn between going digital or sticking to the good old-fashioned paper planner? In today's episode, I tackle the importance of monthly planning and how it can help you make that crucial decision. In this episode: Discover the differences between monthly and weekly planning The type of information monthly and weekly planning requires The significance of choosing the right paper planner for your weekly planning sessions I also discuss why I still have a soft spot for paper planners an...
Jun 27, 2023•17 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast